LANE RANGER

Turn signal at U.S. 441 causing problems

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 9:44 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 9:44 p.m.

Dick Burgoon of Ocala wrote about the directional turn signal at U.S. 441 and Southeast 31st Street to the east and Southeast 32nd Street to the west for vehicles traveling southbound, which, he said, allows only three or four cars to get through.

“The locals know this and turn at the block before the light (Southeast Emmett Avenue to Southeast Fifth Terrace), going through a residential street to bypass the light. These side streets became littered with potholes and had to be resurfaced because they were not designed to handle the traffic load of people bypassing the light. It won’t be long until it happens again — but it can be avoided. If the directional light was changed from a green arrow to normal green for the rest of the cycle, people would not go through the neighborhood. The ones who wait at the light would not waste gas idling at the light waiting for the cycle. When drivers realize they can turn as soon as traffic clears out, they will stay in the turn lane and not try to bypass the light. Is there state law that says the light can’t stay green after the arrow goes off?” Burgoon wrote.

Darren Park, with the city of Ocala Traffic Department, responded via email: “The southbound left turn at U.S. 441 at Southeast 31st Street/Southeast 32nd Street is a protected only (green, amber, red arrows indicating when motorists may/may not proceed) movement and was designed as such when the intersection was constructed in 2003 by FDOT. Protected movements are used when the turning distance across opposing lanes is deemed excessive, there is an oncoming sight obstruction and a wide median or some other safety concern is identified by the Engineer of Record. This is a state road and FDOT determines the signal operation. The southbound left turn volumes have traditionally been comparatively light,” Park stated.

Steve Olsen with the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 also replied:

“FDOT can look at the need to add green time to the southbound left turn movement as needed to clear standing left turn queues. Darren’s guidance is correct. Given the wide intersection geometry, which provides a longer exposure distance for southbound left turns, left turns on green arrow only is the safest configuration to deter the potential for a left turn crash problem to develop. Protected-only also removes the potential for left turn conflicts with pedestrians. No changes to the left turn phasing are proposed at this time, but we will look at timing adjustments, which will involve coordination with the city.”

<p>Dick Burgoon of Ocala wrote about the directional turn signal at U.S. 441 and Southeast 31st Street to the east and Southeast 32nd Street to the west for vehicles traveling southbound, which, he said, allows only three or four cars to get through.</p><p>“The locals know this and turn at the block before the light (Southeast Emmett Avenue to Southeast Fifth Terrace), going through a residential street to bypass the light. These side streets became littered with potholes and had to be resurfaced because they were not designed to handle the traffic load of people bypassing the light. It won't be long until it happens again — but it can be avoided. If the directional light was changed from a green arrow to normal green for the rest of the cycle, people would not go through the neighborhood. The ones who wait at the light would not waste gas idling at the light waiting for the cycle. When drivers realize they can turn as soon as traffic clears out, they will stay in the turn lane and not try to bypass the light. Is there state law that says the light can't stay green after the arrow goes off?” Burgoon wrote.</p><p>Darren Park, with the city of Ocala Traffic Department, responded via email: “The southbound left turn at U.S. 441 at Southeast 31st Street/Southeast 32nd Street is a protected only (green, amber, red arrows indicating when motorists may/may not proceed) movement and was designed as such when the intersection was constructed in 2003 by FDOT. Protected movements are used when the turning distance across opposing lanes is deemed excessive, there is an oncoming sight obstruction and a wide median or some other safety concern is identified by the Engineer of Record. This is a state road and FDOT determines the signal operation. The southbound left turn volumes have traditionally been comparatively light,” Park stated.</p><p>Steve Olsen with the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 also replied:</p><p>“FDOT can look at the need to add green time to the southbound left turn movement as needed to clear standing left turn queues. Darren's guidance is correct. Given the wide intersection geometry, which provides a longer exposure distance for southbound left turns, left turns on green arrow only is the safest configuration to deter the potential for a left turn crash problem to develop. Protected-only also removes the potential for left turn conflicts with pedestrians. No changes to the left turn phasing are proposed at this time, but we will look at timing adjustments, which will involve coordination with the city.”</p>